University of Illinois
13-4
UCSB
6-19
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC Santa Barbara | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Illinois | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | X | 11 | 12 | 0 |
Illini Softball Opens LMU Tournament with Run-Rule Victories
March 15, 2019 | Softball
LOS ANGELES – The Illinois softball team outscored its opponents 20 to three en route to a pair of run-rule victories at the LMU Tournament on Friday (March 15) at Smith Field. The Illini opened with an 11-2 win over UC Santa Barbara, before earning a 9-1 victory over Cal Poly – with both wins coming in five innings.
"Today was a great day in all aspects," said head coach Tyra Perry. "We executed our game plan at a high level and saw several people step up to contribute in a big way. Now is a great time to start playing with this level of intensity on a consistent basis and I believe we are ready to do it."
The Illini (14-4) offense combined for 20 runs on 22 hits, including four doubles, two triples and a home run, while the UI pitching staff allowed just five hits on the day. Redshirt-senior Annie Fleming led the Illini with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate with three runs, while senior Stephanie Abello posted a team-high five RBI to go with three hits and a run. Sophomore Maddison Demers added four RBI, two hits and two runs on the day.
Illinois 11, UCSB 2 // 5 innings
The Illini scored in each of the first three innings, starting with a six-run opening frame that was highlighted by a two-run double from senior Alexis Carrillo and a two-run single from sophomore Katie Wingerter.
Seniors Veronica Ruelius and Stephanie Abello then combined to bring in the final five runs in during the second and third frames.
UCSB (6-20) plated a pair in the fourth, but senior Emily Oestreich entered in the circle and finished off the win.
Freshman Sydney Sickels (9-2) earned the win after tossing three scoreless innings and allowing just one walk and striking out one in the start.
Illinois 9, Cal Poly 1 // 5 innings
The Illini continued where they left off against the Mustangs, plating five runs in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Demers.
After CPU brought in a run in the top of the fourth, the Illini added a run on an RBI sac fly from senior Kiana Sherlund in the fourth, before a three-run fifth sealed the victory. With runners at first and second, sophomore Rhein Trochim notched her first career triple to drive in the two, before Ruelius earned the walk-off win with an RBI sac fly to bring in Trochim.
Senior Taylor Edwards (1-0) registered her first win of the season after giving up just one earned run on four hits and four walks and striking out two in a complete game effort.
Next Up
The Illini continue LMU Tournament action on Saturday (March 16) as they take on No. 2/2/3 Oklahoma at 11 a.m. CT and host Loyola Marymount at 1:30 p.m. CT at Smith Field.
For more Fighting Illini softball news, stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com and follow @IlliniSB on social media: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Sickels, Sydney (9-2)
L: Noriega, F (5-7)
Batting:
RBI: Goldstein, T 1 ; Lazatin, A 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Fabian, S 1 ; Thies, T 1
Batting:
2B: Abello, Stephanie 1 ; Carrillo, Alexis 1
3B: Ruelius, Veronica 1
RBI: Ruelius, Veronica 2 ; Abello, Stephanie 4 ; Demers, Maddison 1 ; Carrillo, Alexis 2 ; Wingerter, Katie 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Thomas, Carly 1 ; Fleming, Annie 2 ; Loya, Bella 1 ; Dunlap, Zaria 1 ; Ruelius, Veronica 3 ; Abello, Stephanie 1 ; Demers, Maddison 1 ; Carrillo, Alexis 1
HBP: Fleming, Annie 1 ; Demers, Maddison 1
